Culture at Carson vs. Franklin

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had one go through AAP at Carson and I have one doing honors at Franklin. I’m going to be honest, most of the teachers at Franklin seem mediocre. At Carson I felt the teachers were very unique, creative and understood kids better. The Carson teachers seemed to have better credentials too. Carson was also organized and like a well oiled machine. In contrast, we have found Franklin too laid back and unorganized. The kids don’t seem to understand how anything works at the school, including the after school activities.

Franklin also has some bizarre rules such as - kids must go to the gym or cafeteria when they arrive in the am and are only released at 8:25…that’s not enough time to go to lockers. They also can’t go to their lockers before recess to put away their backpacks (backpacks with computers go outside in hot or cold weather and stay on the dirty ground). Kids also aren’t allowed to go to their lockers after lunch - my child reports a high strung teacher always yelling at them when they are simply putting their lunch boxes away in their lockers. Carson encourages locker use which I like. More chances to socialize. I guess Franklin is scared of fights? The kids are more problematic maybe?

Several schools are doing that thing with sending kids to the gym or cafeteria in the morning this year. That's not just a Franklin thing.

I've sent kids through both schools, so I feel confident saying the following:

1. There are both mediocre and outstanding teachers at both schools.

2. Neither school has teachers who are more qualified or have higher credentials.

3. Both schools have teachers who are extremely talented and engaging, just as both schools have teachers who are less than engaging.

4. The population of the schools are virtually identical. Neither school has kids that are more "problematic." It's actually pretty disturbing that an adult would describe a child as "problematic."

I wish Franklin would encourage locker use, but they don't seem to. That's the only negative thing I have to say about Franklin as a whole.

Hard disagree on #2. By better credentials, I mean better universities or colleges. For example, at Carson off the top of my head I can think of 2 teachers who went to W&M and UVA. There were also a few who went to JMU. In contrast, Franklin teachers failed to mention their education at Back to School Night which I found interesting.

Very few people over age 30 brag about the university they attended.

There are UVA, VT, W&M, JMU, UMD, PSU, and NYU-educated teachers in every school across the county.

Telling parents you have a Masters or Doctorate is typical. Making a big deal out of which school you attended is not, unless you're a brand-new teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had one go through AAP at Carson and I have one doing honors at Franklin. I’m going to be honest, most of the teachers at Franklin seem mediocre. At Carson I felt the teachers were very unique, creative and understood kids better. The Carson teachers seemed to have better credentials too. Carson was also organized and like a well oiled machine. In contrast, we have found Franklin too laid back and unorganized. The kids don’t seem to understand how anything works at the school, including the after school activities.

Franklin also has some bizarre rules such as - kids must go to the gym or cafeteria when they arrive in the am and are only released at 8:25…that’s not enough time to go to lockers. They also can’t go to their lockers before recess to put away their backpacks (backpacks with computers go outside in hot or cold weather and stay on the dirty ground). Kids also aren’t allowed to go to their lockers after lunch - my child reports a high strung teacher always yelling at them when they are simply putting their lunch boxes away in their lockers. Carson encourages locker use which I like. More chances to socialize. I guess Franklin is scared of fights? The kids are more problematic maybe?

Several schools are doing that thing with sending kids to the gym or cafeteria in the morning this year. That's not just a Franklin thing.

I've sent kids through both schools, so I feel confident saying the following:

1. There are both mediocre and outstanding teachers at both schools.

2. Neither school has teachers who are more qualified or have higher credentials.

3. Both schools have teachers who are extremely talented and engaging, just as both schools have teachers who are less than engaging.

4. The population of the schools are virtually identical. Neither school has kids that are more "problematic." It's actually pretty disturbing that an adult would describe a child as "problematic."

I wish Franklin would encourage locker use, but they don't seem to. That's the only negative thing I have to say about Franklin as a whole.

Not at all! Did you actually have a child go to Carson recently?

Yes, I have had two children attend Carson and two attend Franklin. The population is almost identical in terms of behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had one go through AAP at Carson and I have one doing honors at Franklin. I’m going to be honest, most of the teachers at Franklin seem mediocre. At Carson I felt the teachers were very unique, creative and understood kids better. The Carson teachers seemed to have better credentials too. Carson was also organized and like a well oiled machine. In contrast, we have found Franklin too laid back and unorganized. The kids don’t seem to understand how anything works at the school, including the after school activities.

Franklin also has some bizarre rules such as - kids must go to the gym or cafeteria when they arrive in the am and are only released at 8:25…that’s not enough time to go to lockers. They also can’t go to their lockers before recess to put away their backpacks (backpacks with computers go outside in hot or cold weather and stay on the dirty ground). Kids also aren’t allowed to go to their lockers after lunch - my child reports a high strung teacher always yelling at them when they are simply putting their lunch boxes away in their lockers. Carson encourages locker use which I like. More chances to socialize. I guess Franklin is scared of fights? The kids are more problematic maybe?

Several schools are doing that thing with sending kids to the gym or cafeteria in the morning this year. That's not just a Franklin thing.

I've sent kids through both schools, so I feel confident saying the following:

1. There are both mediocre and outstanding teachers at both schools.

2. Neither school has teachers who are more qualified or have higher credentials.

3. Both schools have teachers who are extremely talented and engaging, just as both schools have teachers who are less than engaging.

4. The population of the schools are virtually identical. Neither school has kids that are more "problematic." It's actually pretty disturbing that an adult would describe a child as "problematic."

I wish Franklin would encourage locker use, but they don't seem to. That's the only negative thing I have to say about Franklin as a whole.

Hard disagree on #2. By better credentials, I mean better universities or colleges. For example, at Carson off the top of my head I can think of 2 teachers who went to W&M and UVA. There were also a few who went to JMU. In contrast, Franklin teachers failed to mention their education at Back to School Night which I found interesting.

Very few people over age 30 brag about the university they attended.

There are UVA, VT, W&M, JMU, UMD, PSU, and NYU-educated teachers in every school across the county.

Telling parents you have a Masters or Doctorate is typical. Making a big deal out of which school you attended is not, unless you're a brand-new teacher.

Well at Carson there seem to be many teachers who went to our excellent state schools. And they weren’t making a big deal out of it, just sharing. I just got the sense that the Carson teachers were just overall more serious about academics. They are used to dealing with the AAP parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had one go through AAP at Carson and I have one doing honors at Franklin. I’m going to be honest, most of the teachers at Franklin seem mediocre. At Carson I felt the teachers were very unique, creative and understood kids better. The Carson teachers seemed to have better credentials too. Carson was also organized and like a well oiled machine. In contrast, we have found Franklin too laid back and unorganized. The kids don’t seem to understand how anything works at the school, including the after school activities.

Franklin also has some bizarre rules such as - kids must go to the gym or cafeteria when they arrive in the am and are only released at 8:25…that’s not enough time to go to lockers. They also can’t go to their lockers before recess to put away their backpacks (backpacks with computers go outside in hot or cold weather and stay on the dirty ground). Kids also aren’t allowed to go to their lockers after lunch - my child reports a high strung teacher always yelling at them when they are simply putting their lunch boxes away in their lockers. Carson encourages locker use which I like. More chances to socialize. I guess Franklin is scared of fights? The kids are more problematic maybe?

Several schools are doing that thing with sending kids to the gym or cafeteria in the morning this year. That's not just a Franklin thing.

I've sent kids through both schools, so I feel confident saying the following:

1. There are both mediocre and outstanding teachers at both schools.

2. Neither school has teachers who are more qualified or have higher credentials.

3. Both schools have teachers who are extremely talented and engaging, just as both schools have teachers who are less than engaging.

4. The population of the schools are virtually identical. Neither school has kids that are more "problematic." It's actually pretty disturbing that an adult would describe a child as "problematic."

I wish Franklin would encourage locker use, but they don't seem to. That's the only negative thing I have to say about Franklin as a whole.

Hard disagree on #2. By better credentials, I mean better universities or colleges. For example, at Carson off the top of my head I can think of 2 teachers who went to W&M and UVA. There were also a few who went to JMU. In contrast, Franklin teachers failed to mention their education at Back to School Night which I found interesting.

Very few people over age 30 brag about the university they attended.

There are UVA, VT, W&M, JMU, UMD, PSU, and NYU-educated teachers in every school across the county.

Telling parents you have a Masters or Doctorate is typical. Making a big deal out of which school you attended is not, unless you're a brand-new teacher.

Well at Carson there seem to be many teachers who went to our excellent state schools. And they weren’t making a big deal out of it, just sharing. I just got the sense that the Carson teachers were just overall more serious about academics. They are used to dealing with the AAP parents.

I hate to break it to you but the vast majority of teachers in FCPS went to VA state schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had one go through AAP at Carson and I have one doing honors at Franklin. I’m going to be honest, most of the teachers at Franklin seem mediocre. At Carson I felt the teachers were very unique, creative and understood kids better. The Carson teachers seemed to have better credentials too. Carson was also organized and like a well oiled machine. In contrast, we have found Franklin too laid back and unorganized. The kids don’t seem to understand how anything works at the school, including the after school activities.

Franklin also has some bizarre rules such as - kids must go to the gym or cafeteria when they arrive in the am and are only released at 8:25…that’s not enough time to go to lockers. They also can’t go to their lockers before recess to put away their backpacks (backpacks with computers go outside in hot or cold weather and stay on the dirty ground). Kids also aren’t allowed to go to their lockers after lunch - my child reports a high strung teacher always yelling at them when they are simply putting their lunch boxes away in their lockers. Carson encourages locker use which I like. More chances to socialize. I guess Franklin is scared of fights? The kids are more problematic maybe?

Several schools are doing that thing with sending kids to the gym or cafeteria in the morning this year. That's not just a Franklin thing.

I've sent kids through both schools, so I feel confident saying the following:

1. There are both mediocre and outstanding teachers at both schools.

2. Neither school has teachers who are more qualified or have higher credentials.

3. Both schools have teachers who are extremely talented and engaging, just as both schools have teachers who are less than engaging.

4. The population of the schools are virtually identical. Neither school has kids that are more "problematic." It's actually pretty disturbing that an adult would describe a child as "problematic."

I wish Franklin would encourage locker use, but they don't seem to. That's the only negative thing I have to say about Franklin as a whole.

Hard disagree on #2. By better credentials, I mean better universities or colleges. For example, at Carson off the top of my head I can think of 2 teachers who went to W&M and UVA. There were also a few who went to JMU. In contrast, Franklin teachers failed to mention their education at Back to School Night which I found interesting.

Very few people over age 30 brag about the university they attended.

There are UVA, VT, W&M, JMU, UMD, PSU, and NYU-educated teachers in every school across the county.

Telling parents you have a Masters or Doctorate is typical. Making a big deal out of which school you attended is not, unless you're a brand-new teacher.

Well at Carson there seem to be many teachers who went to our excellent state schools. And they weren’t making a big deal out of it, just sharing. I just got the sense that the Carson teachers were just overall more serious about academics. They are used to dealing with the AAP parents.

I hate to break it to you but the vast majority of teachers in FCPS went to VA state schools.

+1

I think it's safe to assume that every FCPS school has quite a few teachers who attended UVA, W&M, VT, JMU, VCU, Mary Washington, GMU, ODU, CNU, and other state schools. The vast majority who went to VA schools likely attended UVA, VT, W&M, and JMU.

Every MS and HS (except for TJ) probably also has a similar percentage of teachers with doctorate degrees. It's probably between 3% and 6% of instructional staff who have a doctorate.

[Anonymous]

It really doesn’t matter which state college a teacher went to or how much math or science they studied there. What matters is whether students are only doing the basics at grade level or if they’re ready to take on advanced work. At Carson, teachers see students who are eager for that next step—whether it’s Olympiads, robotics, MathCounts, and more. Franklin, on the other hand, leans more toward the fine arts, with a focus on music, theater, and similar areas. FCPS acknowledges this difference, check their individual school characterization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really doesn’t matter which state college a teacher went to or how much math or science they studied there. What matters is whether students are only doing the basics at grade level or if they’re ready to take on advanced work. At Carson, teachers see students who are eager for that next step—whether it’s Olympiads, robotics, MathCounts, and more. Franklin, on the other hand, leans more toward the fine arts, with a focus on music, theater, and similar areas. FCPS acknowledges this difference, check their individual school characterization.

To what are you referring when you cite "individual school characterization"? Are you referring to the school profiles? If so, you are grossly misunderstanding and mischaracterizing those profiles. You are also being extraordinarily unfair to the staff and students at BOTH schools to pigeon-hole their talents the way you have.

I'm not sure why it is so difficult for some of the respondants here to admit that both schools are outstanding schools and trying to pit one against the other does no one any favors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really doesn’t matter which state college a teacher went to or how much math or science they studied there. What matters is whether students are only doing the basics at grade level or if they’re ready to take on advanced work. At Carson, teachers see students who are eager for that next step—whether it’s Olympiads, robotics, MathCounts, and more. Franklin, on the other hand, leans more toward the fine arts, with a focus on music, theater, and similar areas. FCPS acknowledges this difference, check their individual school characterization.

To what are you referring when you cite "individual school characterization"? Are you referring to the school profiles? If so, you are grossly misunderstanding and mischaracterizing those profiles. You are also being extraordinarily unfair to the staff and students at BOTH schools to pigeon-hole their talents the way you have.

I'm not sure why it is so difficult for some of the respondants here to admit that both schools are outstanding schools and trying to pit one against the other does no one any favors.

NP. You’re taking it personally which I find really weird. I had kids at both schools and we just prefer Carson. We felt the teachers and students were better overall at Carson. Get over it. If you don’t agree oh well. I don’t care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really doesn’t matter which state college a teacher went to or how much math or science they studied there. What matters is whether students are only doing the basics at grade level or if they’re ready to take on advanced work. At Carson, teachers see students who are eager for that next step—whether it’s Olympiads, robotics, MathCounts, and more. Franklin, on the other hand, leans more toward the fine arts, with a focus on music, theater, and similar areas. FCPS acknowledges this difference, check their individual school characterization.

To what are you referring when you cite "individual school characterization"? Are you referring to the school profiles? If so, you are grossly misunderstanding and mischaracterizing those profiles. You are also being extraordinarily unfair to the staff and students at BOTH schools to pigeon-hole their talents the way you have.

I'm not sure why it is so difficult for some of the respondants here to admit that both schools are outstanding schools and trying to pit one against the other does no one any favors.

NP. You’re taking it personally which I find really weird. I had kids at both schools and we just prefer Carson. We felt the teachers and students were better overall at Carson. Get over it. If you don’t agree oh well. I don’t care.

Give yourself a cookie. None of what you posted detracts from PP’s observation, which is that it’s absurd to stereotype Carson and Franklin to the degree that some Carson parents routinely do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really doesn’t matter which state college a teacher went to or how much math or science they studied there. What matters is whether students are only doing the basics at grade level or if they’re ready to take on advanced work. At Carson, teachers see students who are eager for that next step—whether it’s Olympiads, robotics, MathCounts, and more. Franklin, on the other hand, leans more toward the fine arts, with a focus on music, theater, and similar areas. FCPS acknowledges this difference, check their individual school characterization.

To what are you referring when you cite "individual school characterization"? Are you referring to the school profiles? If so, you are grossly misunderstanding and mischaracterizing those profiles. You are also being extraordinarily unfair to the staff and students at BOTH schools to pigeon-hole their talents the way you have.

I'm not sure why it is so difficult for some of the respondants here to admit that both schools are outstanding schools and trying to pit one against the other does no one any favors.

NP. You’re taking it personally which I find really weird. I had kids at both schools and we just prefer Carson. We felt the teachers and students were better overall at Carson. Get over it. If you don’t agree oh well. I don’t care.

Give yourself a cookie. None of what you posted detracts from PP’s observation, which is that it’s absurd to stereotype Carson and Franklin to the degree that some Carson parents routinely do.

+1

[Anonymous]

Never heard any such things about Carson school. My son is a 8th grader in AAP. He’s happy there and just checked with him about this after seeing this post. He said he has not noticed any such things.

My only complaint about Carson is that it’s highly competitive to get into some of the after school activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It really doesn’t matter which state college a teacher went to or how much math or science they studied there. What matters is whether students are only doing the basics at grade level or if they’re ready to take on advanced work. At Carson, teachers see students who are eager for that next step—whether it’s Olympiads, robotics, MathCounts, and more. Franklin, on the other hand, leans more toward the fine arts, with a focus on music, theater, and similar areas. FCPS acknowledges this difference, check their individual school characterization.

To what are you referring when you cite "individual school characterization"? Are you referring to the school profiles? If so, you are grossly misunderstanding and mischaracterizing those profiles. You are also being extraordinarily unfair to the staff and students at BOTH schools to pigeon-hole their talents the way you have.

I'm not sure why it is so difficult for some of the respondants here to admit that both schools are outstanding schools and trying to pit one against the other does no one any favors.

NP. You’re taking it personally which I find really weird. I had kids at both schools and we just prefer Carson. We felt the teachers and students were better overall at Carson. Get over it. If you don’t agree oh well. I don’t care.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've had kids in AAP at both Carson and Franklin, as well as a kid in regular/honors education at Franklin. Holistically, we have been pleased with Franklin.

Franklin's AAP program is excellent, and the current administration is very good as well. They brought in a new principal last year and two new vice principals this year. It's been a positive change. We've also been very impressed with the Spanish teachers at Franklin.

The only negative we've seen is that Franklin's music program is now extremely small, which is different than when our older kids attended Franklin over the past few years. It's a shame that so few kids sign up for music classes.

That’s interesting. I have been hearing the complete opposite. The new principal is too lax and I heard the Spanish teachers are difficult - in fact, it’s hard to even understand one of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've had kids in AAP at both Carson and Franklin, as well as a kid in regular/honors education at Franklin. Holistically, we have been pleased with Franklin.

Franklin's AAP program is excellent, and the current administration is very good as well. They brought in a new principal last year and two new vice principals this year. It's been a positive change. We've also been very impressed with the Spanish teachers at Franklin.

The only negative we've seen is that Franklin's music program is now extremely small, which is different than when our older kids attended Franklin over the past few years. It's a shame that so few kids sign up for music classes.

That’s interesting. I have been hearing the complete opposite. The new principal is too lax and I heard the Spanish teachers are difficult - in fact, it’s hard to even understand one of them.

The new principal is much less lax than the one they had a few years ago, and the vice principals are definitely not lax with regard to misbehavior.

My kids who have gone to Franklin took Spanish 1 and Spanish 2, and the teachers they've had have been outstanding. No one has been difficult to understand.

We have also been extremely impressed with the AAP and honors teachers (some of the same teachers) our kids have had. Algebra I, Geometry, English 7, US History, and Civics have been particularly strong. Our daughter who is now in high school also really liked the librarian and her counselor. Both of them showed a lot of patience and kindness toward our daughter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've had kids in AAP at both Carson and Franklin, as well as a kid in regular/honors education at Franklin. Holistically, we have been pleased with Franklin.

Franklin's AAP program is excellent, and the current administration is very good as well. They brought in a new principal last year and two new vice principals this year. It's been a positive change. We've also been very impressed with the Spanish teachers at Franklin.

The only negative we've seen is that Franklin's music program is now extremely small, which is different than when our older kids attended Franklin over the past few years. It's a shame that so few kids sign up for music classes.

That’s interesting. I have been hearing the complete opposite. The new principal is too lax and I heard the Spanish teachers are difficult - in fact, it’s hard to even understand one of them.

The new principal is much less lax than the one they had a few years ago, and the vice principals are definitely not lax with regard to misbehavior.

My kids who have gone to Franklin took Spanish 1 and Spanish 2, and the teachers they've had have been outstanding. No one has been difficult to understand.

We have also been extremely impressed with the AAP and honors teachers (some of the same teachers) our kids have had. Algebra I, Geometry, English 7, US History, and Civics have been particularly strong. Our daughter who is now in high school also really liked the librarian and her counselor. Both of them showed a lot of patience and kindness toward our daughter.

Did you actually hear one of them speak? We did. Her accent was so thick we couldn’t understand what she was saying in English. I checked with another parent and she confirmed that was a common complaint. Maybe your kids had a different teacher.